So bogged down with work that you completely forgot Christmas is coming and have yet to book a holiday? Never fear, we’ve put together a list of last-minute end-of-year trip ideas around Asia that you should check out this festive season.
Whether you want to live it up under the moon on the beach in Krabi or you want to venture further and explore Dubai and Tokyo, we’ve got a whole lot of travel inspo for you this festive season. With special deals and exciting events happening at each of these hotels and resorts, all you have to do is click the ‘book here’ button and consider your most wonderful time of the year well underway.
Festive end-of-year trips around Asia you can still book now
Christmas feasts on the beach at Pimalai Resort & Spa, Krabi
When it comes to an intimate beach getaway, one can never forget about Krabi. Thailand’s southern province boasts a pristine white beach and beautiful sea, which can be conveniently enjoyed from the beach of the luxury Pimalai Resort & Spa. On Christmas Eve, enjoy a traditional Christmas buffet along with live music, while the kids roam free with Santa and his special presents. Last but not least, bid farewell to 2022 with a buffet, Thai classical dance, fireworks, and a barefoot dance on the beach on New Year’s Eve.
Celebrate in Mediterranean style at the Meliá Chiang Mai
The Spanish hotel in the north of Thailand, Meliá Chiang Mai, will host a series of buffet dinners to be served on Christmas Eve all the way to New Year’s Day. Mai Restaurant & Bar will offer a four-course Northern Thai dinner with delicious ingredients like tender roasted beef fillet steak with toasted rice gravy, and wok-fried Andaman tiger prawns. Additionally, the Spanish Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet, a homage to the hotel’s origin, is filled with Spanish and Mediterranean delicacies.
Eat, drink, and create a Gingerbread House at the Address Beach Resort, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Connecting together sky and the sea, The Address Beach Resort, Dubai is an exotic place to celebrate your Christmas in sunshine with a range of dining programs. Whether you prefer sweets or savouries, The Restaurant and The Lounge cover it all, from a festive themed afternoon tea, to festive Christmas brunch, to an edible gingerbread house workshop. On the New Year’s Eve night, take your darling to the dazzling Great Gatsby soirée at Li’ Brasil, or the jazzy outdoor dinner at The Beach Grill.
Live music and special treats at the Banyan Tree Krabi
The white pristine coastline of Krabi will be the perfect backdrop for the White Christmas Dinner at Naga Kitchen Restaurant at the Banyan Tree Krabi. The stars of the night are the roast turkey with cranberry sauce, tiger prawns, rock lobsters, an Australian ribeye beef, and the cheese platter. Live music and performances will be there to entertain guests all night, too.
Feast amid a Nutcracker Wonderland at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, Vietnam
Your festive end-of-year trips don’t have to stray too far from home, for a short flight to Hanoi can already transport you into another world. Located in the capital of Vietnam, the Sofitel Legend Metropol Hanoi is being transformed into a Nutcracker Wonderland with over 500,000 glistening lights on the 15-metre Christmas tree. A long line of Christmas and New Year dining events are programmed across several of its restaurants as well. For instance, a seven-course French dinner, a European and New World six-course dinner, brunch on New Year’s Day, and more.
Enjoy a barbecue and a fire show at the Banyan Tree Samui
The festivities at the Banyan Tree Samui kick off with a High Tea Buffet that spotlights sparkling wine. For unique beachfront dining, the five-course Christmas Gala Dinner Buffet will be served at Sands Restaurant during the Christmas period. If you’re on the trip with your significant other, definitely don’t miss the Candlelit Set Dinner on the beach. A more laid-back Christmas BBQ feast is also available along with a fire show and live music.
Immerse yourself in a Culture Trip at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, Japan
Located in the noble neighbourhood on the Kamo River banks, The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto inherits its charming local legacy, exhibited through traditional Japanese design. The luxury hotel offers a perfect hideout for those looking to immerse in the local ways of life, whether they’re encouraged to visit Zuiho-in Temple for a peaceful meditation and tea ritual course with the priests, or take a stroll in the magical Arashiyama bamboo forest. If you’re seeking to infuse some traditional Japanese wellness and zen in your end-of-year trips this festive period, The Ritz-Carlton Spa is where you need to be.
Dance the night away at an upbeat pool party with Meliá Phuket Mai Khao
Meliá Phuket Mai Khao is an all-in-one destination for celebratory activities, which include mouth-watering feasts, a Santa Claus, live music from the DJs, and a festive pinata. While you can have the homey festive dinner on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day is saved for an upbeat pool party. At Gaia Beach Club, popsicles, floating lilos, live music from the DJs, and a tropical pinata filled with sweets and toys will set the scene for the merriest celebration. Guests can also enjoy organic, biodynamic wines during their stay.
Soak in the views at the JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa, India
The JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa is nestled by the Mussoorie valley on the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan ranges, where exquisite trails, towering oaks, and evergreen views are all present. Every winter, the renowned Himalayan mountain is covered in snow, so pack your essentials and go on a short trekking trip towards the snowy mountaintops while enjoying the lush greenery along the way. If that sounds too demanding, pause for a picnic by the river and book a session at Cedar Spa by L’Occitane.
Meet Santa at the pier at Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood, Trat
Soneva Kiri bids farewell to the year with a range of delicious, entertaining, and mindful activities on the schedule. The fun begins with a plant-based Christmas cookie-making class, and continues with a cocktail evening with Santa at the Pier. Set sail and admire the coastline around Koh Kood, and let your little ones join the face-painting and a surprise party at the beach. For the sake of your mind and body’s fitness, the resort is arranging a complimentary yoga, pilates, tai chi, and meditation for all guests as well.
Enjoy the unique winter activities at Fairfield by Marriott Hokkaido Minamifurano, Japan
In this warm, cosy setting, guests will have their best time enjoying a range of outdoor entertainment like snowshoeing, dog sledding, and backcountry trekking. Once you’re inside, prepare to be amazed by authentic local dishes from the hotel’s experienced chefs, such as Hokkaido curry made with venison and warm buttered potatoes.
It’s beachside gala dinner time at the Anantara Lawana Koh Samui
Our festive trips and feasts at the Anantara Lawana Koh Samui keep getting grander as we approach the new year. Start with the Christmas dinner prepared by Executive Chef Kevin Fawkes, a seven-course interpretation full of Christmas classics under a plant-based approach. On Christmas Day, enjoy the flame-cooked seafood and hearty festive desserts like Christmas pudding and mince pies. On countdown day, take your best dress to the Gala Dinner and end the year with a glass of champagne and a firework show.
Engage in seven-day cultural dining at Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, Bali, Indonesia
This luxurious resort keeps their guests busy for the whole week with a program of sumptuous dining experiences and Balinese performances. Starting off with a four-course Christmas Eve dinner, guests can expect a Kecak Dance and Royal Balinese Dinner, the torch-lit Ramayana scene performance, a three-course Royal Balinese meal, a Balinese street food-making class, and many more to follow.
Sing Christmas carols at the Anantara Bophut Koh Samui
The newest dining venue of Anantara Bophut Koh Samui, Guilty, opens just in time to host a five-course dinner, live band performances, Christmas choir and a Santa meet-and-greet on Christmas Eve. Alternatively, guests can also choose the soft white beach as a picturesque setting for the Christmas Eve Dinner buffet, while the lilypond garden will be the backdrop for the Christmas Day’s dinner with Christmas carols and live music. Bid farewell to 2022 at the hotel’s glamorous New Year’s Eve White Gala — certainly an opulent way to cap off your festive end-of-year trips.
Savour in international delicacies at The Hari Hong Kong
If you’re including Hong Kong as a stop in your festive trips, do head over to The Hari, a stylish retreat famous for its well-rounded restaurants that serve second-to-none Japanese, Italian, and international delicacies. Starting with the Christmas and New Year’s brunch at Lucciola Restaurant & Bar, guests can choose between the Lobster Chitarra Pasta, Beef Tagliata, and Sea Bass all’Acqua Pazza for main course and enjoy the rest semi-buffet style. Otherwise, go Japanese with the brunch and the Zoku experience tasting menu at Zoku. Some exceptional menus to look forward to are Lobster Soba, Grilled A5 Miyazaki Wagyu, Katsu Sando, Zosui Kumamoto rice with lobster and coriander oil, and many more.
Indulge in vintage wines and jazz at the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Chiang Rai
Christmas amid the mountains at the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort will be the time you want to remember. At the exquisite Baan Dhalia helmed by Executive Chef Jino, diners will savour a six-course set menu paired with vintage wines and live jazz. On New Year’s Eve, receive a blessing from the traditional Thai ritual, Thai Bai Sri, for good luck, before digging into the Mekhong Explorer dinner accompanied by cultural performances.
Reconnect with nature at Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Japan
Longing for a snowy experience during your festive end-of-year trips? The Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve changes with the seasons, and your winter experience here will be the time to reconnect with the white alpine solitude. With the snow-covered mountainous terrain surrounding the resort, it’s undeniably the perfect place for skiing and snowboarding. Then, complete your long day with a dip in the hot springs.
Revel in a Balinese stay and delicacies at Raffles Bali, Indonesia
Heritage Balinese design is exhibited beautifully in all of the private villas at the Raffles Bali. The all-villa resort is offering an inclusive package that invites guests into the spacious Ocean Pool Villa with panoramic views of Jimbaran Bay. On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, take to the hotel’s restaurants and taste the six-course dinner with the sound of the ocean waves as your backdrop.
Have a Merry Jolly Christmas at The Anam Cam Ranh, Vietnam
You will find every Christmas activity you can think of at The Anam Cam Ranh. The dazzling Christmas tree lighting ceremony kicks off the season with several feasts and performances to follow. While the choir performance is accompanied by mulled wine, fruit punch, hot chocolate and cookies, the French five- and seven-course dinners will be served at The Colonial restaurant. Head outdoors for festive movies night, or vibe through the evening cocktail parties on the lawn.
Taste refined French and Japanese cuisines at Palace Hotel Tokyo, Japan
Situated in the capital city of Tokyo, Palace Hotel Tokyo is determined to bring the best delicacies to the city. That includes Esterre, a French fine-dining restaurant that serves beautifully cooked lobsters, scallops, and more. Otherwise, delight in the Japanese steaks at Grand Kitchen and Teppanyaki GO. For desserts, take the Sweets & Deli’s Christmas cakes to-go and enjoy them in your luxurious suite.
Reshape your holiday indulgences with the vegan feast at The Farm at San Benito, Manila, Philippines
Resting on 48 hectares of green jungle, The Farm at San Benito is an eco-luxury holistic medical wellness resort that prioritises physical as well as mental health. The resort has enlisted treatments overseen by competent doctors, nutritionists, therapists, food chefs, and fitness coaches. With a unique attempt to redefine how we indulge during the holiday season, farm-to-table, vegan feasts are served here. Gastronomic and holistic, the Vegan Festive Feast highlights Rosemary Polenta Chips, Baked Butternut with Broccoli and French Beans, and some Poached Pears with Frozen Pistachio Cacao Cream and Watermelon Granita for dessert.
Have an intimate winter gathering at Four Seasons Hotel at Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan
The warm, elegant rooms of the Four Seasons Hotel at Marunouchi will be the perfect hideaway after your long day of trips around Tokyo, as festive feasts at Maison Marunouchi and SÉZANNE await you here. Have an elegant French-inspired Christmas Bistro lunch or dinner with iconic specialties like Truffle Ravioli, Pigeon Pithivier, and Bûche de Noël
Dine extravagantly at The Reverie Saigon, Vietnam
As one of the most extravagant hotels in Saigon, The Reverie’s dining venues stand out the most, and promise to spoil you silly should you include it in the itinerary of your festive end-of-year trips. Visit Café Cardinal for an extensive French dinner and brunch, or opt for The Royal Pavilion if you crave the comfort of Cantonese plates. On the other hand, the eight-course degustation menu at Da Vittorio Saigon combines the best of Italian fine-dining techniques into a stunning selection of menus, waiting for you to enjoy.
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